Advancement

WHAT: Advancement is the process by which youth progress from rank to rank. Education through fun and challenged while scouts master outdoor and living skills.

WHEN: Advancement can be part of any scout activity or done outside of scheduled unit activities.

HOW: The scout learns, by participation in patrol and troop activities and hands-on learning activities.

The scout is tested, by the unit leaders to insure he knows the skill and has satisfied the requirements. The leader lets the scout know he has completed the requirement and signs his book.

The scout meets with the Scoutmaster, to go over what the boy has accomplished and to make sure that everything is in order prior to the Board of Review. This is also an opportunity for the Scoutmaster to get to know the boy better, get his feedback on what he enjoys in Scouting, and what he would like to do in the future.

The scout is reviewed, when a scout completes all requirements for a rank he is given a board of review to make sure all requirements are done and encourage him to continue the advancement trail. The board is NOT a retest of any requirement. It is the boy's responsibility to notify the current advancement chairman that he is ready for a board of review.

The scout is recognized, as soon as possible and given the rank. He is also recognized at the next troop court of honor. The exception to this is the rank of Eagle, which may not be awarded or worn until the rank has national approval.

SEQUENCE OF LEARNING: The requirements for tenderfoot, second class and first class ranks can be earned simultaneously; however, the ranks must be earned in sequence. Merit Badges can be earned in any order and worked on at any time; however, the ranks of Star, Life and Eagle all need merit badges from the Eagle required list to complete the rank.

The Scout Advancement Program helps your scout grow in the same way a plant grows by receiving nourishment in the right environment. It is the job of the adults concerned with Advancement to provide the right environment, while the requirements challenge the Scout in a manner that is fun and educational. At the same time, one of the greatest needs of Scouts during the growth years is confidence. There are three kinds of confidence that Scouts need: in themselves, in peers, and in leaders. Educators and counselors agree that the best way to build confidence is through measurement.

In Scouting, measuring is done by means of skills. But skills do far more than just measure; they accommodate the three aims of Scouting: Participating citizenship, Growth in moral strength and character, and mental and physical development. A Scout advances from Tenderfoot to Eagle by doing things with is patrol and his troop, with his leaders, and on his own. It's easy for him to advance if the four opportunities are provided: he learns by doing; he is tested; he is reviewed; he is recognized.

There are numerous opportunities for a Scout to advance and/or earn Merit Badge. Almost every Scout activity provides for this, and the key to understanding this is communication. It is up to your Scout to talk with his peers and leaders about his interest in Advancement opportunities and Merit Badge requirements. It never hurts to simply ask himself or his leaders: "What can I learn/accomplish while doing this activity?"

As your Scout advances, there are a few things that will help him over the long-term:

Rank Advancement notes

1. Keep a record of his advancement requirements. Rank advancements are tracked in the Handbook, and are signed off by Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmasters. It's a good idea for your Scout to obtain sign-offs from a variety of different adults, thereby broadening his ability to interact with the different leaders.

2. Once your Scout has completed the rank advancement requirements, he sets a date and time with his Scoutmaster for the Scoutmaster conference. The Scoutmaster conference is a one-on-one session with the Scoutmaster.

3. Next the Scout needs to arrange for a Board of Review, in which three committee members review the accomplishments, and offer suggestions and support for future advancements. The Scout arranges for the Board of Review by contacting the Advancement Chair and requesting the meeting.

4. Finally, when all have signed off in the Scout's handbook, it's a good idea for the Scout to photocopy the page(s), and keep in a safe place. This comes in handy should the handbook ever got lost or destroyed.

5. The Scout will receive his patch as soon as possible following the Board of Review, and receive his recognition card and his parent pin at the next Court of Honor.

6. Requirements to advance to Star, Life, and Eagle include earning Merit Badges, holding leadership positions, service, and demonstrating that a Scout lives by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life.

Merit Badges notes

1. There are no age or rank limits for when Scouts can start working on Merit Badges. But to progress above the rank of First Class, the Scout must complete selected Merit Badges. Merit Badges demonstrate knowledge of a subject. They cover over 100 subjects from hobbies, citizenship, outdoor skills, and others. Included are Eagle required Merit Badges which focus on the values of the Scouting program.

2. A Scout must first get a "blue card" from the Scoutmaster to start on a Merit Badge. The Scoutmaster must sign the card for the Scout to start. The Scoutmaster or Advancement Chairperson can help the Scout in selecting and contacting a Merit Badge Counselor.

3. Scouts must work on a Merit Badge with a buddy. They contact the Counselor and schedule meetings to complete the Merit Badge.

4. When the Scout completes all the requirements, the Counselor signs off on the Merit Badge card. Then the Scout turns in the "Application for Merit Badge" part of the card to the Advancement Chairperson. The Scout keeps the "Applicant Copy", which should be kept in a safe place for future reference. The Merit Badge Counselor should keep the "Counselor Copy" part of the Merit Badge card.

5. The Scout will receive his Merit Badge patch and card at the next Court of Honor. This card should be kept in a safe place for future reference.

6. Should the Scout receive a "partial" for a Merit Badge, the Counselor should return all three parts of the card to Scout. Scouts are responsible for managing their own partial cards.

Parent Recognition

A parent ribbon (for parent pins) is provided to each family and is worn by a parent at the Court of Honors. Merit Badge patches are displayed on your Scout's sash. You will find a growing sense of pride, accomplishment and confidence in your Scout as he earns new pins and patches during his Scouting years.